Israel at War, Day 14
Two weeks in and the war is only getting started
Today is October 20, 2023, and here is the latest about what is happening in Israel. If you enjoy these daily updates, and want access to more, exclusive content, or to support my work, then please consider becoming a monthly subscriber by clicking the button below.
We have now entered the fourteenth day of the war in Israel, and here is everything you need to know. One note before I dive into the news: With war, there is a lot of information that is often difficult to compartmentalize into easily digestible reads. And, with the news moving at a fast pace, news is often missed and information is often interpreted incorrectly at first.
1) President Biden Gives Major Speech
Late last night, President Biden gave a historic speech from the Oval Office where he discussed the United States's support for Israel and Ukraine in their fight against terror. The President, recently returning from a historic trip to a war zone in Israel, highlighted the need for Congress to support both nations as they fight for their respective democracies. During the speech, he highlighted the similarities of the wars in both Israel and Ukraine. For Israel, he spoke about the need to fight Hamas, a terrorist group that led the attacks last week. But, he made sure to highlight the need for a two state solution and for the Palestinian people to continue having their right to self determination. He made clear that Hamas and the Palestinian people were not one in the same and that Hamas did not have the interests of the Palestinian at heart. For Ukraine, President Biden spoke about his trip to visit President Zelensky and highlighted the need for the continued support of Ukrainians, over eighteen months after the war first began. In a closing line, President Biden made these comparisons clear asserting: "Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they both want to annihilate a neighboring democracy." Watch the full speech for yourself here.
2) Ground Invasion Update
The ground operation in Gaza is still likely to move forward. In the past 24 hours, some Israeli troops have received permission to visit their families, with the understanding that they will soon be called back up to the front lines in the coming days and weeks to participate in the invasion. Israel's Defense Minister addressed troops in the south where he told them: “You are now seeing Gaza from afar, soon you will see it from the Inside. The order will soon come.” He was likely referring to the order to enter Gaza to eliminate Hamas. However, many questions still remain about what the future of Gaza looks like after any possible ground operation. This morning, Israel's Defense Minister stated that after defeating Hamas, the military will not control life in the Gaza Strip. While vague, it makes clear that Israel has no intentions to occupy or annex parts of Gaza, despite some reports earlier in the war that suggested the contrary. Either way, this is one worth monitoring in the coming days.
3) Humanitarian Aid Delayed (Again)
Once again, humanitarian aid into Gaza has been delayed as the border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has remained closed this morning despite many suggesting that today will be the day Gazans receive the much needed aid. Currently, Egypt is blaming Israel for the delay, and has stated that the border crossing is open on their side for aid to enter Gaza. This comes just days after in a meeting with President Biden, Israeli officials agreed to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza as the country's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. As of this post, more than 4,700 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, with many more injured and in need of aid. On the Israeli side, more than 1,300 Israelis have been killed and several dozen are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
Disclaimer: With any war, news and information is often scattered and hard to come by, as we learn more you will be the first to know.